Graphene Derivatives as Nanofillers for a Commercial Epoxy Resin

Since first successfully separated from graphite by micromechanical cleavage, graphene has emerged profuse interests of researchers all over the world, owing to its exceptional properties, such as high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, surface area and tensile strength. These remarkable properties make this two-dimensional carbon material a promising substitute for other carbon-based materials, such as carbon black, expanded graphite and carbon nanotube, as fillers for polymer carbon nanocomposites. As intensive studies have demonstrated, graphene can enhance tensile modulus and strength of most polymer nanocomposites more effectively than other carbon fillers. In this context, a commercial two-components formulation to produce epoxy resins was modified by adding graphene derivatives. Upon curing, mechanical properties at break for the nanocomposites is increased to respect the original plain resin values. Furthermore, the behavior of the modified resins was simulated when used for thick composite production where the reinforcement is made of long carbon fibers.